Chapter III 1927 – Year for Heroes and Headlines

The year 1927 was called a time of Ballyhoo and Ford and the Hamilton, “fireproof, you know;” they Hoopla and Wonderful Nonsense, a time when stared at the new Stinson, “built right here in everything was bigger and crazier and publicized Northville;” they tugged at the taut wires of the with more headlines than anything that ever sturdy Wacos and peered inside the cabin of the happened before. yellow painted Ryan, said to be just like Lindy’s, It was a time for Home Run Kings and Flagpole except this one was all fixed up with blue mohair Sitters, Beauty Queens and Talking Movies, Race seats like a fine automobile. Riots and Lynchings and Chicago Gang Wars, The spectators watched the airplanes run through Mississippi Floods and Big Radio Broadcast Hook- their takeoff and landing tests and they talked of Ups and Record Airplane Flights. People called one newsreel pictures they’d seen: of transatlantic another Sheiks, and Shebas; they said things like record seekers struggling to take off; “make their “You’re darned tootin,” and “he knows his onions.” getaway,” as the papers called it, dangerously Flaming Youth drove their Whoopies down the overloaded with hundreds of gallons of “high Main Drag and picked up Daring Flappers who test gasoline.” wore their skirts Two Inches Above the Knee and And the tour officials, mindful of all this scare smoked Tailor-Mades and drank Bootleg Hooch talk, changed the rules to eliminate the full-throttle from Hip Flasks just like their Boy Friends did. And racing of the previous year; for 1927, a Perfect they tuned in Jazz Bands on Superhet Radio sets and Score would require only a leisurely “85% of listened to Hot Numbers like “Baby Face” and maximum speed.” Another change in the scoring, “Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue” and “I Wish That I hotly debated by pilots, was the “Multi-Engine Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate.” Rule,” which provided that a plane with more than It was a time to worship heroes: Heavyweight one engine should be charged in the Formula with Fighters, Movie Stars, and Aviators. And now, in only the engine power actually required to keep it May of 1927, there was a new aviator hero, a aloft — a lower figure than its total power. The winged knight called “The Lone Eagle” who flew contestant must demonstrate this in a test, but the 1 nonstop from New York to Paris and in that 33 /2 test was accomplished at a comfortably safe altitude hours, became the greatest popular hero in the over Ford Airport and required only that the plane history of flight; a man acclaimed as no other before make a gentle climb while the pilot slowed up one or since, including the Wrights and Lincoln Beachey engine at a time, to idling. No minimum load was and all the Aces of all the wars put together, and all specified, and veteran flyers said the whole thing the men who would one day walk on the moon. was very much unlike the actual panic that occurred Charles Lindbergh and his Ryan monoplane set when a bi-motor or tri-motor had an engine stop off the greatest boom in flying ever seen. Now, suddenly on takeoff, or in a steep climb from a small everyone must Use the Air Mail, Travel By Air, Buy field. Then, everything happened at once, with the Airport Bonds, Buy an Airplane, Learn To Fly. failed propeller stopped dead and trying to drag the And while only fourteen airplanes competed in ship down with it, the airplane yawing wildly as the the 1927 National Air Tour — perhaps because the desperate pilot jammed on full opposite rudder and factories were all too busy filling orders — the pulled the plane up into an even steeper climb, or spectators came by the tens of thousands to pour even a stall or spin. through the gates to Ford Airport; to talk and look Such accidents were common for tri-motored and marvel…. airplanes, and many pilots believed that more They thumped the corrugated metal skin of the engines simply meant more trouble. But the tour

43 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America Rules Committee wanted to encourage transport The Advance plane got through to Boston, word plane entries, and the rule stood. was sent back to Schenectady for the tour flyers to The 1927 tour was off on June 27, with C.F. come on. And so they charged aloft into the fog Ð “Boss” Kettering manning the starter’s flag and the thirteen airplanes, all bunched up in ragged Ford Motor Company band marching up and down formation, following along and bouncing in one blaring away on popular airs, with an occasional another’s prop-wash as they brushed hills and tree- Turkey In The Straw kind of tune for square dance tops and telephone wires trying to stay underneath enthusiast Henry Ford. Record crowds turned out as the blinding low clouds and make their way through the tour planes progressed through Buffalo and the Berkshires. Geneva and Schenectady, where on the second Six of them gave up: old pilots rather than bold morning out they were all held up by rain and fog pilots. Four came down in Massachusetts, one shrouding the hills and blocking the way to Boston. blundered through and overshot to Newport, Rhode The Advance plane went on ahead to have a look, Island and Frank Hawks nearly killed himself and while the others waited and talked and read the his wife and two other passengers when he tried to newspapers, with their big headlines of the latest climb up through a hole, lost control of his Ryan and ocean record flights. Two young Army flyers named fell down through the clouds in a screaming Maitland and Hegenberger were nearing Hawaii in a graveyard spiral, with a last-second recovery and Fokker Tri-Motor, first to cross from the California landing in a beet field. mainland. Another plane had taken off from Those who did push on to Boston were met and Oakland right behind them, flown by an airmail driven in shiny new Hupmobiles to the Hotel Lenox pilot named Ernie Smith, but this plane had turned and the inevitable banquet, followed by the in- back. And Commander Byrd and his three-man evitable entertainment, a play at the Park Theatre, crew were finally off Roosevelt Field in his Fokker, “The Cat And The Canary.” heading out over the Atlantic…. Next day, heading for New York they all cruised Byrd had waited and waited, ostensibly for bravely across Long Island Sound, miles offshore exactly right weather conditions; now he was off in like the transoceanic heroes everyone talked about. what turned out to be very bad weather conditions. And at Roosevelt Field and downtown at the The tour flyers, talking about it, wondered if the Pennsylvania Hotel, and wherever flyers gathered suave Commander might have become upset by the they talked of the record setters; of the Army’s angry letters and telegrams he had received from Pacific triumph in what seemed a comparatively irate fans; zealots caught up in the flying fever of uneventful flight of 25 hours and 51 minutes — and that wild summer who called Byrd a coward not fit of Byrd and his crew and their Atlantic struggle of to wear the Navy uniform, for having let Lindbergh something over forty hours…. and Chamberlin get across to Europe ahead There would be many stories later: how the big of him…. Fokker got away from pilot Bert Acosta in the black

The 1927 tour pilots competed for news headlines with many other heros….

Chamberlain and Levine (Wright Aeronautical Corporation)

44 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America Maitland and Hegenberger (Willis Nye)

Byrd’s “Giant Fokker,” which used a ramp to get started. (S. J. Hudek)

And the Dole Race to Hawaii, remembered for planes lost at sea, and for crashes on land. Here at the Oakland Airport takeoff, Norm Goddard’s EI Encanto lies crippled, at left; Jimmie Irving’s Breese Pabco Pacific Fiver, just off, will also crash. (The Dole Company)

46 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America night somewhere off Newfoundland and fell out of they were trapped in the night and wandered around control toward the sea, to be righted at the last and finally crash-landed back on the French minute by Bernt Balchen. And of navigator Rex coast again…. Noville knocking out the radios when he got his big And so the tour flyers need not explain their own feet mixed up with the radio wiring on the cabin blundering through the mountains of New England; floor. And how they finally made it through to the rather they could admit to being heroes, battling French coast while it was still light enough to have through the fog just like Commander Byrd. And made a bee-line for Paris ahead of darkness and every flyer in the tour was indeed a hero, especially more fog, except that Byrd refused to change his if he wore helmet and goggles and plus four golf flight plan, which called for a longer route, so that knickers and a suede jacket. What did he think of Lindbergh….and which was best, biplane or monoplane….and was it true what the flying schools advertised about big-pay jobs in aviation? The men listened solemnly, the young ladies giggled and flirted, the small boys pedaled their bikes along the line of airplanes and talked ITINERARY 1927 knowingly of each one. If the motor did not have nine cylinders that stuck out like the spokes of a Date City and Airport Name Miles wheel, then it was not a Whirlwind, like Lindy used. Monday, Dearborn, Ford If the ship had a windmill whirligig on top, that was June 27 Buffalo, Municipal 232 the Earth Inductor Compass which you had to have June 28 Geneva, Finger Lakes 95 to fly across the ocean. And the radio aerial on the Schenectady, Municipal 160 Ford Tri-Motor, the small boys knew, was so the pilot could talk to the factory every day and get June 29 Boston, East Boston 155 his orders. June 30 New York City, Curtiss 135 Eddie Stinson led them all in points scored as the fleet went on south and west through Texas and July 1 Philadelphia; Pitcairn, Willow Grove 88 Baltimore, Logan 95 Oklahoma and Kansas. Wichita was a lunch stop, long enough to hear all about the frantic activity at July 2 Pittsburgh; Rodgers, Aspinwall 196 Swallow and Travel Air where workmen were going July 3 Cleveland, Municipal (Hopkins) 120 round the clock to finish three ships in time for the Dole hop-off. The Dole Race was the biggest one July 4 Kalamazoo, Municipal 212 yet: thirty-five thousand in prize money; 2500 miles Dayton, McCook 195 nonstop, California to Hawaii with the deadline just July 5 Columbus, Norton 72 four weeks away. At least a dozen planes were Cincinnati, Lunken 100 entered, and the tour flyers would remember the July 6 Louisville, Bowman 97 three entries from Wichita: the Travel Air flown to an easy first place by Art Goebel, another Travel Air July 7 Memphis, Armstrong 321 which turned back, and the Swallow that went down July 8 Pine Bluff, Toney 130 at sea, as the radio operator sent back word on the Dallas, Love 295 short wave, first, “It is beginning to get dark,” and July 9 Oklahoma City, Municipal 195 then later, “We are in another spin….” Tulsa, Mcintyre 105 Eddie Stinson was a sure winner as the tour headed home from Omaha but underdog Harold July 10 Wichita, Municipal 133 Omaha, Municipal (Carter Lake) 260 Elliott led the way into Dearborn through a driving rainstorm. Elliott was last in line for takeoff at July 11 Moline, Campbell 285 Grand Rapids and thus the only pilot to spot an Hammond, Ford 160 eager committeeman who came running along the Tuesday, Grand Rapids, Municipal 145 line waving a weather report. The report said there’d July 12 Dearborn, Ford 140 be strong tailwinds up above the rain clouds, and so Total 4,121 Elliott climbed up to see. And sure enough a near gale blew his Pitcairn into Ford Airport ahead of everyone else.

47 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America Eddie Stinson and passengers in tour winner. Leonard Flo, in Stinson SB-1, at left; John Riddle, in Waco below. (NASM)

The Buhl Airsedan, Tour #1, Registration #3034. This “tail number” indicated the plane was identified and listed with the Department of Commerce, as required by the Air Commerce Act of 1926. “C” and “NC” license designations followed, as manufacturers proved their ships in airworthiness tests for an “Aircraft (or Approved) Type Certificate” which the Act required for use in interstate commerce. (Ford/Hudek)

48 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America The Mercury Arrow, with new paint job, tail number 2396 and “Sponsored by Mercator” on fuselage. (Ford/Hudek)

The Hamilton Metalplane (A. W. Walker)

J. S. McDonnell, Jr., left, and Tom Hamilton with Metalplane at Spokane Air Races. The plane was designed to carry four passengers, who looked out, and down, through horizontal windows in bottom wing surface. (A. W. Walker)

49 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America Pathfinder pilot Lieutenant Rutledge Irvine, with the Navy’s 1923 Schneider Cup racing team. From left, F. W. Wead, D. Rittenhouse, Irvine, A. W. Gorton, C. W. Fox. (George Van Vliet)

Rules of Ford Airport (NASM)

Two accompanying Fords, Standard Oil of Indiana’s Stanolind I, and the Navy’s XJR-1. White square in middle distance is the letter “0” in giant “FORD” outlined across the airport. (S. J. Hudek)

50 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America Letter to Commander Miles from Ralph W. Cram, newspaperman and NAA representative from Iowa. (A.C. Miles)

The Navy crew, left to right, J. M. Romero, S. J. Masthay, H. R. Bowes, A. C. Miles. (A. C. Miles)

51 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America Clarence M. Young (left) and William P. McCracken, Jr. (NASM)

Cloyd Clevenger (University of California) Left to right, John Riddle, Dick Blythe, T. Higbee Embry, Charlie Meyers, John Wood, Harry Sherwin. (Charles W. Meyers)

This Long-Wing Eaglerock carrying a Detroit News placard on its nose at the 1927 Spokane Races is probably the same plane flown by Clevenger in the 1927 tour. The dark mass in right background is a truckload of chairs, being set up for race officials. (A. W. Walker)

52 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America E. W. “Pop” Cleveland A beautiful Waco specially built for T. Higbee Embry. (Charles W. Meyers) (Advance Aircraft Company)

A Waco DSO similar to Pop Cleveland’s tour ship. Charlie Meyers’ Waco, Embry-Riddle Express. (Ted Schroeder) (Ford/Hudek)

John Riddle in cockpit of Waco 112, Crosley Radio salesman Harry Sherwin at right, holding latest Crosley “table model” publicized with dealers along tour route. (S. J. Hudek) 53 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America Record crowds turned out for the 1927 tour. This is a typical gathering, (for a 1931 air show) at the Philadelphia Airport. (J. Victor Dallin)

Typical scene: mechanics starting engines with hand-crank inertia starters. These are Curtiss Falcons at the Spokane Races, an 0-1 at right, slicked up XO-13A, at left. (A. W. Walker)

54 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America Mrs. Evangeline Lindbergh departing Ford Airport December 19, 1927, to spend Christmas with her famous son at Ambassador Dwight Morrow’s home in Mexico City. From left, Mrs. Lindbergh, pilot Harry Brooks, passengers Mrs. and Mr. William B. Stout, mechanic Harry Russell, well-wisher Edsel Ford. The airplane is Ford Tri-Motor C-1077. (S. J. Hudek)

Ford #23, with unusual “Tri-Ford” designation on fin. The plane was listed as standard Whirlwind model in most tour publicity, however this picture indicates it had a Wasp in the nose position. (Ford/Hudek)

55 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America Typical of the ceremonies which took place along the tour route: A brave and efficient lady christens a Vought. (Mrs. Carl Bigelow)

Actress Jane Wyman christens a Lockheed, propped up by a nervous Frank Rose and Walter Varney. (Franklin Rose) Miss Wichita of 1926 pins a rose on Clarence Clark. (C. E. Clark)

56 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America Distinguished guests pose with Fokker F-VII for inauguration of Washington, D. C. to Philadelphia airline during the 1926 Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Exposition. From left, Tony Fokker, Herbert Hoover, Admiral William A. Moffett, T. P. Mitten, J. W. Drake, J. A. Queeney, Edward P. Warner, and F. Trubee Davison. (NASM)

Leonard Flo, hand upraised in a swearing-in ceremony alongside 1927 Stinson. (Leonard S. Flo)

57 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America T. Claude Ryan, with fellow workers and first Ryan ST Sport Trainer Frank Hawks’ Ryan was called The Gold Bug due to its paint job, unlike monoplane, in 1934. From left, John Fornasero, pilot, Ryan, M. C. Boyd, later models which were most often finished in silver “like Lindy’s.” and Will Vandermeer, engineers. (Joseph P. Juptner) (Ford/Hudek)

The 1927 tourists are listed on this Detroit Free Press composite. At left: Randolph G. Page; Charles E. Planck, William A. Mara, Mrs. E. F. Schlee, Rosemarie Schlee, Henry Diesenberg, Eddie Stinson, E. F. Schlee; E. A. “Pete” Goff, Mrs. E. A. Goff, Mrs. T. H. Hamilton, Ernest Englebert, Randolph G. Page; Harvey C. Mummert, J. C. Meade; Bailey Wright, George Turner, John P. Wood; Frank Bogart, E. A. “Pete” Goff, Leonard S. Flo, Jean (Genel Searles, Ray Cooper; T. Higbee Embry, Richard Blythe, Whirlwind Jimmy (the monkey mascot), Charley Meyers. Center: Eddie Stinson; then, below the map and the picture of Whirlwind Jimmy: Mrs. John Paul Riddle, John Paul Riddle, Harry E. Sherwin; Ralph Young, Janette Rex, Mrs. Ralph Rex, Frank Hawks, Mrs. Frank Hawks. At right: Harvey C. Mummert; Edward Mulligan, George Arnold, Louis G. Meister; H. A. Elliott; H. A. Wallace, E. C. McMillan, E. W. Cleveland; Paul Braniff, Dave Shackleford; S. J. Masthay, J. M. Romero, William Hall, Frank Cram (should read, Ralph Craml, Lt. Com. A. C. Miles, Lt. H. R. Bowes; “Poppa” Ray Collins, Lt. R. G. Breene; James V. Piersoll, Dean W. Burford, William F. Sturm, C. W. Thomas, Harry Russell, E. P. Crocker, Thomas H. Gilliam (should read, Kiliian.). (Charles E. Planck)

Paul Braniff (Braniff International)

Jim Ray taxis out in the Pitcairn Mailwing. (Ford/Hudek)

58 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America 59 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America PASSENGERS

H.A. Wallace, E.D. McMillan J.A. McInaney, Joseph B. Leonard Dave Shackelford (Daily Oklahoman), Myron Wilson. Out at Oklahoma City Wm. A. Mara, Charles E. Planck, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Schlee, Rosemarie Schlee, Henry Diesenberg. Thomas Hamnten, L.H. Benfer (Miluaukee Sentinel), Russell G. Lynch (Milwaukee Journal) Ernest Englebert. Edward Mulligan, George Arnold T. Higbee Embry, Jr., R.R. Blythe, "Wirlwind Jimmy" (monkey mascot) Harry Sherwin, Powell Crosley, Jr. Mrs. Frank Hawks, E.A. Goff, Charles Heddon, Ralph Young Austin F. Bement, Newton D. Skillman, James Houlihouff Geo.R. Turner, C.G. Peterson, Pres. Wright Aeronautical, John B. Wood Wilham C. Chadeavne. V.P., Aerial Service Corp. Harry Russell, Clarence Young, C.W. Thomas, William F. Sturm, James Pierson, E.P. Crocker, Thos. F. Killian AWARD 200 200 300 750 none 2,000 1,250 u u 3,725.5 4,666.3 SCORE 3 127.7 111.3 124.3 9,853.7 MAX. SPEED 9.96 130.2 17.0 $2,500 11.0 115.6 5,785.5 1,000 10.0 131.0 6,857.0 1,500 15.15 122.8 7,807.3 1,750 10.47 119.3 550 UST’K state state flight. This model was not issued a Type Certificate. ---7,609.8 SECONDS 10.8 10.8 5.93 16.83 112.3 7,863.5 9.33 5,623.9 13.0 10.3 18.3 116.7 6,386.8 ST’K 10.17 16.0 93.1 10.83 15.97 115.0 5,375.7 400 15.43 16.3 124.1 5,688.8 WT. 2,404 2,230 2,310 2,512 10.45 10,000 GR’SS 2 6 450 400 June 27 - July 1927 12, LOAD WEIGHTS WT. 1,705 500 2,491 7.97 1,020 700 2,450 7.37 1,380 1,612 570 1,508 1,970 1,500 4,5001,860 12.13 1,200 3,850 2,000 1,000 3,700 1,411 600 1,411 6562,000 2,310 1,000 8.83 3,000 1,411 6001,810 2,310 1,000 9.0 3,470 6,000 EM’TY (Contestants listed in order of final standing.) 90 225 Wright J5 Wright J5 Wright J5 Wright J5 Wright J5 Wright J5 Wright J5 Wright J5 Wright J5 Wright J5 Curtiss C6 Curtiss OX5 (3) Wright J5 502 788 225 788 225 788 718 180 788 225 788 225 788 225 788 225 788 225 788 225 788 225 573 160 787 200 ENGINE TYPE DISPL. H.P. Wright Hispano E (24) (12) (42) (25) (18) (41) (41) (41) OFFICIAL RESULTS: NATIONAL AIR OFFICIAL NATIONAL TOUR, RESULTS: FOR THE EDSEL B. 1927 FORD TROPHY, (87) (16) 8 8 g g 1 Win Win Hamilton Waco Ten Alexander Waco Ten Waco Ten Alexander Waco Ten B-1 Metalplane AIRPLANE Stinson SB-1 Pitcairn PA-5 Stinson SM-1 Ford Tri-Motor 4-AT-A Mercury Arrow Mahoney Ryan Mailwing Eaglerock Long- Eaglerock Long- TYPE AND ATC Buhl Airsedan 10 (or CA5A) 4 u NO. 3022 2707 4304 3009 4305 2396 4307 3034 4308 2873 3040

REG. C235

4306 (?)

NO. TOUR 6 10 24 23 5 PILOT ATC - Type ATC Approved Certificates shown in parentheses were awarded at some date subsequent to tour. Published listed Tour records for only 1927 "Contest Load." Empty and Gross weights are quoted from other sources. "Maximum Speed" was established in pre-tour trials. score Tour was based on maintaining 85% of maximum speed. The "C" prefix for Hamilton registration number indicates completion of Department of Commerce inspection for of approval inter Pilot listed first is official contestant. Pilot listed in parentheses took ship part way. Ford figures are incomplete. Airplane was withdrawn as contestant. 1 2 3 4 5 6 u Unknown Harold A. Elliott (James G. Ray) E.W. ClevelandCloyd P. Clevenger 8 Paul R. Braniff 3 4 Edward A. Stinson Dean W. Burford (Harry Brooks) Harvey C. Mummert 7 Randolph Page 2 Charles W. Meyers Louis G. Meister 1 Frank M. Hawks 22 John P. Riddle 12 Leonard S. Flo 13 John P. Wood 11 NOTES: NOTES:

60 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America Pathfinder crewmen: Lt. Fred Nielson, J.M. Romero, S.J. Masthay. Tour crewmen: Lt. Cmdr. A.C. Miles, Romero and Masthay. Passengers included: Ray Cooper, F.W. Nerson, Hugh White, W.W. Davies, Frank Bogart, James V. Pierson, Ralph W. Cram, Edward P. Warner. Tour Referee, Ray Collins Aircraft had license number NC2492 on the wing and NC2432 on the tail. ll, Harry A.G. Crocker, H. Schlosser, Knepper, L.M. E.P. Benfer, Harvey J. Kiemmer, A.F. Bement, John RH. L. Gast, Cooley, R.G. Advance Pathfinder Airplane and Official Tour Airplane. U.S. Navy, N.A.S. Anacostia Official Advance Airplane. Army Air Corps, Wright Field Stanolind I, Standard Oil Company of Indiana. Liberty 12 (3) Wr. J-4 Douglas O-2 Fort Tri-Motor XJR-1 Fort Tri-Motor 4-AT-A (1) P&W Wasp, (2) Wr. J-4 A7526 PILOT REG.NO. AIRPLANE TYPE PURPOSE PASSENGERS Lt. R.G. BreeneRodney Lamont u NC2492 Lt. Rutledge Irvine (Pathfinder) Lt. H.R. Bowes (Tour) OFFICIAL RESULTS: NATIONAL AIR OFFICIAL NATIONAL TOUR, RESULTS: FOR THE EDSEL B. 1927 FORD TROPHY, AIRPLANES OTHER ACCOMPANYING Other passengers; various McCracken, airplanes: Jr., Clarence Wm. M. Wm. Hall, Young, P. Wm. Sturm, F. R.G. BertLynch, McConne Lockwood, Frank Jerdone, Newton D. Skiliman, Arthur Haistead, Larry Selz.

61 Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.org or by calling 800-225-5575 © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 Aviation Foundation of America Copies of this book may be ordered at www.NationalAirTour.orgat ordered be may 800-225-5575 book calling this by of or Copies © 1972, Lesley Forden; 2003 Edition © 2002 © AviationEdition of 2003 FoundationForden; LesleyAmerica 1972, © 62

John Wood, Waco Taper Wing, new Chrysler and the Edsel B. Ford Touring Trophy. The trophy was never won permanently by any contending company; was placed on display in the Ford Museum at Dearborn after the last tour. (Charles W. Meyers)